Thursday March 30th, 2017

Part of the Joy in Childhood Foundation and the Starlight Children's Foundation partnership

CHICAGO—On March 30, 2017, La Rabida Children's Hospital hosted a “Day of Joy” to celebrate a $200,000 grant from the Joy in Childhood Foundation and the Starlight Children’s Foundation that will fund the renovation of a kitchen space for patients and families. Through this partnership between the Joy in Childhood Foundation (formerly The Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation) and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, La Rabida will be the first recipient of a Starlight Site with plans to renovate one of the hospital’s family kitchens and transform it into a joyful and happy space where children and their families can cook together and learn how to eat nutritiously. The funding will also provide kids at La Rabida with Starlight Brave Gowns, which are high-quality, comfortable and brightly-colored gowns for children to wear while undergoing treatment.

The renovation of the kitchen, located in the hospital’s Child Life Pavilion, will provide patients and families with a larger, updated space to cook as an activity to support rehabilitation plans, provide comfort before or after procedures, learn about nutrition, and much more. Each year, La Rabida provides care for thousands of Chicago's children with chronic and complex medical conditions.

“One thing our patients all have in common is the right to a happy, vibrant childhood,” said La Rabida President and CEO Brenda Wolf. “We are grateful to the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Joy in Childhood Foundation for partnering to help us make that a reality for every one of our kids.”

As part of the “Day of Joy,” La Rabida invited patients, families, staff and donors to celebrate the check presentation, take part in a healthy-cooking demo, create sugar-free sundaes, make special crafts and take tours of the hospital. The event was attended by Brenda Wolf; La Rabida Board of Trustees Chairman Fred Berglund; Colleen Harper, Director of Developmental, Rehabilitative and Child Life Services at La Rabida; Chris Helfrich, CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation; Karen Raskopf, Joy in Childhood Foundation Co-Chair and Dunkin’ Brands Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications.

About La Rabida Children’s Hospital
La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion and advocacy, our team of physicians, nurses, therapists, psychologists and other professionals ensures that our children and their families live their best lives. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan at Jackson Park, La Rabida has served the children of Chicago for more than 120 years.